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Elementary School Development Director

Diocese of Harrisburg
Harrisburg, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 10 Jul 2026

About the role

JOB DESCRIPTION
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT/ADVANCEMENT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Full-Time
City & State: Harrisburg, PA
School: Holy Name of Jesus School
 
PAYROLL GRADE:  14                            FLSA STATUS:  Exempt

NATURE OF POSITION: The purpose of this position is to develop and implement a comprehensive development program for the school/parish.  The Development Director engages a diverse parish community (including faculty, staff, students, families, and parishioners) and the general public in advancing the development program's mission.

REPORTING FUNCTION: Reports to the pastor and/or principal

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Duties may include any or all of the following:

  • Collaborates with the Pastor and/or Principal in implementing the educational mission of the parish.  This is accomplished by participating in the comprehensive planning, implementation, and evaluation of the parish's/school's goals, with specific focus on the parish's/school's development plan. Incumbent also collaborates in regional/deanery planning and development efforts as appropriate.
  • Directs the parish's/school's Development Plan.  Incumbent accomplishes this by establishing short (annual) and long (3-5 year) range goals and objectives for the Development office based on the parishes/school's long range plan.  Incumbent may assist the Pastor and other parish/school leadership in developing the parish's/school's long-range plan.  Incumbent facilitates the development and publication of an articulated, written case statement about the parish/school which tells the story of Catholic education and also includes the parish's/school's philosophy, values, mission, and public and community contributions.
  • Assures the development and implementation of a comprehensive public relations and communications plan.  This includes relating with these publics: parish leadership; parents of current, former, and future students; school faculty and staff, former and current students; members of the parish; and local civic and business leaders and residents.
  • Assures the establishment of an Annual Appeal/Fund Program for the parish and school. Incumbent plans, directs, and assures the implementation of this annual campaign.
  • Coordinates the establishment of an Alumni Association.  Incumbent accomplishes this by developing effective communication systems with alumni to provide ongoing current information between the school and the alumni, and by attracting alumni support for fundraising activities and the annual fund program.
  • Assures the establishment of an Endowment Fund.  Incumbent plans and directs the implementation of this program, which provides opportunities for potential donors to invest in the parish/school through options such as major gifts, bequests and deferred giving.
  • Assures establishment of EITC funding for scholarships.
  • Assures the establishment of a Student Recruitment program. Incumbent accomplishes this by researching and identifying prospective students, by prompting and hosting various recruitment activities or special events, i.e., home gatherings, open house, on-site visits to feeder day care and preschools, and making telephone and in-person contacts/calls.  Incumbent also promotes recruitment efforts for the school through press releases, public service announcements, advertisements, billboards, newsletters, etc.
  • Serves as staff to the Parish/School Development Committee.  Incumbent participates in the recruitment and selection of members, assures members understand their responsibilities, and collaborates with the Committee Chair in preparing the agenda and in assigning and monitoring task completion.
  • Assures the establishment of a Major Gifts/Corporate Sponsorship Program.  This is accomplished by researching, cultivating, soliciting and follow-up of major gifts from private or corporate donors.  This may include grant writing and/or personal solicitation, or matching appropriate potential donors with "askers."
  • Coordinates all fund-raising activities for the parish/school.  Incumbent collaborates with parish leadership, Parents' Club, School Commission and other find raising groups in the parish/school to develop a planned, consistent, organized approach to fund-raising, including monthly calendaring of events.
  • Performs other work-related duties as assigned.

 

ABILITIES, SKILLS, AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:

  • Thorough knowledge of the principles and pra

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Company

Diocese of Harrisburg

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